Metro councilwoman tackles living wage, condemns state legislation

At-large Councilwoman Megan Barry has filed a memorializing resolution that states Metro Council opposes the state legislation that would preempt local governments from passing living wage laws.

The nonbinding memorializing resolution will be heard at Tuesday’s Council meeting.

The resolution has 17 co-sponsors, Barry said, and comes in advance of her plans to file legislation related to applying living wage laws in Davidson County.

Vanderbilt Divinity professor Dr. Melissa Snarr released a study last year that said the living wage in Nashville should be $10.35. Barry said there are some Metro employees who don’t earn the recommended living wage.

The federal minimum wage is $6.55, which is $8,000 below the poverty level for a family of four, according to Barry’s resolution.

Local governments would lose the power to institute a living wage if the state legislation, sponsored by Sen. Paul Stanley passed.

Already 140 local governments have passed living wage laws, including Shelby County and Memphis.